Women's Tennis Season Preview '98

Sep 10, 1998

PLYMOUTH, N.H. - It will be a young and
inexperienced team that will take the court Saturday when the
Plymouth State College women's tennis team opens the 1998 campaign.
The season opener will also mark the debut of PSC head coach
Judy Switzer.

The Panthers travel to Castleton State (Vt.) this Saturday
(Sept. 12) for a 1:00 p.m. match. After another road match Tuesday
(Sept. 15) at Colby-Sawyer (4:00 p.m.), PSC will make its first
home appearance next Friday (Sept. 18) at 3:30 p.m. against UMass
Lowell.

"We're a very young team," said Switzer, who joined the Panther
staff last month, "with three sophomores and a freshman. Our goals
are to improve our tennis, which we have already done. We just
finished a very successful pre-season, and I've already seen a
tremendous amount of improvement, and so have they."

The Panthers, who posted a 5-6 overall record last season,
return just three players to this year's squad, including two who
were regulars in the line-up. Switzer is making no predictions on
this season's results, she just wants to see the team come together
and play to its potential.

"Of course we'd like to win them all," said Switzer, "but we are
very young and inexperienced. We just want everyone to try their
hardest, do their best, and incorporate some of the new things
we're doing. You learn by playing matches, and that's what we'll
do."

PSC has finished in the top three in the Little East Conference
Tournament the past three seasons, including back-to-back second
place finishes in'95 and '96. The Panthers will have their work cut
out for them in a attempt to unseat two-time defending champion
UMass Dartmouth.

1998 Outlook

Leading the way for the '98 campaign will be senior
Sarah Schutzendorf (Fayetteville, NY), who was
elected captain by her teammates. She posted a 7-4 record at No. 5
singles as a freshman, and after sitting out most of her sophomore
season, returned last fall and registered a 7-6 mark at No. 3
singles. Switzer expects her to take over the top singles position
this season.

"Sarah is a very natural athlete, and a natural player," said
Switzer. "I think she is going to be one of the best players we'll
run into in these matches."

The next two singles positions will likely be filled by
sophomores Jamie Hupper (Merrimack, NH) and
Liza Tallarita (Warwick, RI), who are also
returning veterans. Tallarita played mostly at No. 5 and No. 6 last
season, finishing with a 4-6 combined singles mark, while Hupper
saw limited action, mostly in doubles.

"Jamie is not the most beautiful player, but she can return
almost anything," said Switzer, "and she has a strong desire to
win. Liza has some very strong forehand skills and excellent ground
shots. She just needs to improve her footwork and move a little bit
better."

Rounding out the line-up is junior Jen Letter
(Nashua, NH), a newcomer to the team, freshman Amy
Fritz (Liverpool, NY), and sophomore Becky
Wark (Westbrook, ME). Letter and Fritz are solid players
who will improve with more experience, according to Switzer, and
Wark, who has an excellent mid-court volley, has already shown
improvement in the pre-season.

"They're all terrific girls," said Switzer, "and we're looking
forward to the season. We're young, but we've got a talented bunch.
It's been a good mix so far of hard work and enjoyment."